Lear Corporation

Timothy R Hubbert

Michael J Hier

Joseph J Davis, Jr

Jack S Palazzolo

Dean Corrion

George Bernard Byma

Arun Chickmenahalli

David M Fox

Joseph J Grajewski

An impact absorbing and method for making the same. The impact absorbing assembly for vehicle interiors includes a body having tabs that are connected to the body by a bendable hinge. The body may be either secured to a structural member, a vehicle seat, a trim piece or may be formed integrally from part of a structural component making up part of the vehicle. The impact absorbing assembly may be disposed behind a covering layer or seat back shell.

Impact absorbing assembly for vehicle interior systems and seat backs

A vehicle cup holder assembly comprising a vehicle component including a cup holder opening therein and an aperture formed adjacent the cup holder opening. A base injection molded from a first material and including an attachment feature which extends into the aperture and is selectively movable between extended and collapsed positions with respect to the aperture. An arm cup injection molded from a second material at least partially around the base and including an arm, wherein the second material is overmolded onto the base but not chemically bonded to the first material so that the arm cup and arm are rotatable with respect to the base for adjustably securing a cup in the cup holder opening.

Vehicle cup holder arm assembly

A molded energy absorber includes two sections connected by a plurality of hinge elements. One section has a plurality of telescopically crushable tubular cylinders integrally molded thereon. The two sections are folded together and the energy absorber attaches to a structural vehicle pillar on the inside of the vehicle. Upon impact, the tubular cylinders are fractured and crush telescopically, thereby dissipating much of the impact energy.

Molded energy absorber

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a vehicle cup holder arm, and a vehicle cup holder assembly produced thereby. The method includes injection molding a first material to form a base including an attachment feature adapted for engagement within an aperture adjacent a cup holder opening in a vehicle. A second material is injection molded to form an arm cup around the base and includes an arm. The second material does not chemically bond to the first material so that the arm cup and arm are rotatable with respect to the base for adjustably securing a cup in the cup holder opening. A third material is injection molded onto the arm to form a soft rubber grip for engaging a cup. The cup holder arm may be movable vertically for adjustment with respect to differently-sized cups.

Method of manufacturing a vehicle cup holder arm assembly

An impact absorbing assembly for vehicle interiors comprises a body having tabs that are connected to the body by a bendable hinge. The body may be either secured to a structural member, a trim piece or may be formed integrally from part of a structural component making up part of the vehicle. The impact absorbing assembly may be disposed behind a covering layer. A method of making an impact absorbing assembly with sheet metal forming processes and method of absorbing impacts is also disclosed.

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Novi, MI, United States of America

Timothy R Hubbert